Photo: Humpback whale in Nuuk Fjord (Fernando Ugarte)

A new study will focus on the effect of whale watching on the humpback whales in Nuuk fjord, Greenland. As in many other places, whale watching in Greenland is a growing activity. A study carried out during 2007 and 2008 showed that the feeding dives of humpback whales in Nuuk were shorter in the presence of whale watching boats. This summer, the research will be carried one step forward to test if whales are less affected when boat drivers follow a simple set of rules when approaching the animals. By measuring time periods that whales spend between each time they come to the surface to breath, biologists will search for differences in surface behaviour of whales under the influence of whale watching boats following the proposed code of conduct, whale watching boats not following these guidelines and whales under no influence of boats. The ultimate goal is to produce a set of guidelines for whale watching that results in minimal disturbance to the whales.

The study will be carried out by biologists of the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources (GINR), in collaboration with tour operators Tupilak Travels and Nuuk Tourism, all Wild North partners.  Until now, the study has received financial support from Greenland Tourism & Business Council (another Wild North Partner), the Greenland Ministry of Culture, Education, Research and Church and GINR.

Photo: Humpback whale in Nuuk Fjord (Fernando Ugarte)